Should I get bilstein 5100’s in the rear.

I have a 2017 trd OR which has bilstein’s already. I want to lift the front with 5100’s and add a leaf on the rear. Do I need 5100’s to lift the rear and will it improve my ride? I read somewhere that the 5100’s ride the same as my stock shocks. Thanks in advance.

 

The 5100s were a huge improvement for me all around. The stock rear shocks would fade badly on corrugated roads and get scorching hot. The 5100s are much better. Run cooler and better damping all around. Totally worth the money.

 

I have always tried to run shocks that are made to work together, front and rear. The stock shocks feel much softer than the 5100's. Think of the stock shocks being like floating and the 5100's being in control. At the end of the day it is your Tacoma and you have to be happy with the ride.

 

Does it get rid of the horrible nose dive?

 

^^^ exactly my impression. I can’t think of a single negative thing to say about the 5100s. They are better than the stock OR bilsteins in every measure.

I don’t miss the brake dive, floatiness, corner roll, or bottoming out of the stock shocks. I didn’t realize how lame they were until I ditched them.

 

Ok, I’m sold I’ll get 5100’s all around. I don’t do very much off roading so I figured this setup will be enough for now.

 

Your truck will be better on road as well. No more “double hits” over bumps. It will feel planted and stable, but not harsh.

Take note of how much your truck dives on braking. That will be eliminated as will that uncertain wallowy feel. The truck will track straighter as well (may be placebo, but I swear it drives in a straight line now when it used to wander)

 

When I put my lift on, I put the Wheeler 3 leaf in the rear with the 5100's first. I took the truck for spin with just the rear lift and the 5100's. The front was still the stock TRD Sport Hitachi. I noticed a big improvement. In fact, I noticed a bigger improvement that when I finished up with the 887's and 5100's in the front for on, bumpy roads, ride.

 

I agree, I could not believe that that the rear shocks could make any difference at all. To be honest, I took the truck out, after putting the rear 5100's on just to make sure I didn't screw anything up. I was so impressed that I took my wife for a spin and she was really happy with it.

 

Should I get new coils for the front too? Where do I draw the line? I know suspension gets really expensive.

 

The cost of new OME coils is little less than 200 bucks. Time you disassemble and reassemble the front for any lift you are looking for, I would say "buy the coils." Surprisingly, however, the rear 5100 shocks seemed to be the big difference in the ride.

 

I stuck with the stock TRD OR coils up front, with the 5100s set for 1” of lift (don’t ask me what notch). My installer told me that at this height of lift the stock coils would be fine as 1” of preload (measured at the wheel) on the stock springs actually improves the ride, without running out of spring compression. I trusted him and have been very happy with the results both on and off-road. The shop I went to specialized solely in suspension systems and lifting trucks as well as making leaf springs in-house, so I had faith.

I was told they had applied the same formula to dozens of 3rd Gens in my area and everyone had been pleased. So far it has worked out. CV angles are reasonable, no driveline vibration (still on stock needle bearing), no axle-wrap, and the truck doesn’t bottom out on logging road pot-holes which was the thing that forced me to consider upgrading in the 1st place.

With 4 shocks and single leaf added in the rear, I was out the door for under $1700 Canadian ($1300 USD) including all parts and labour.

 

I put 5100’s and a deaver single AAL on (kept the original coils) my 2017 OR. If you put any kind of spacer or AAL in back, you will need longer shocks at least like a 5100 in the rear. I tow with it, offroad, carry gear and camp with it - it’s a great combo. Lift was about 1.5”

Call @HeadStrong Off-Road for more info about it, they’ve helped a lot of TW members, and they also have good prices.

 

Thanks a lot for the advice guys. I’ve read a lot of good things about headstrong and his service. Do you know if his prices are the best?

 

Just to be clear. Shocks don't lift. Ever. Ride height is determined by springs. Shocks dampen the spring oscillation.

Now you say 'but 5100s lift the front'. No, the spring perch options on the 5100s (above 0) create preload on the spring which makes the lift. For your optimal results, using the correct rating of spring for your goals, with the 5100 on 0, would be the choice.

Not stabbing the brakes will help with that too. But upgraded springs will do more for that than the shocks will.

Call Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road for great counsel on part selection, great prices, free shipping.

 

Get the 5160s in the rear. It has the reservoir for a little bit more money. The 5100s are great, but the 5160s are a whole new level of amazing. You wont regret it. I’ve used both, but after using the 5160s, I’ll never go back.

 

I just purchased some Toytec AALs, 3 leaf ,2 in, for the rear for a topper and towing a trailer. Should I get the 5100s for the rear? If so, will the standard length ones be OK?

 

Thats another good question for Headstrong...